HB 395, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants or post-transplant care if the organ was sourced from China or procured through sale/donation originating in China. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by entities linked to "foreign adversaries" (specifically targeting China per the bill's context), requiring replacement within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates that all genetic sequencing data must be stored within the United States, with remote access from outside the country prohibited without approval from the state health commissioner. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.
HB 14 clarifies that Tennessee's definition of "abortion" does not include contraceptive use (such as birth control devices, medications, or procedures intended to prevent pregnancy) or the disposal of unimplanted embryos from fertility treatments (including related healthcare services and medications). The bill directly affects healthcare providers, patients, and fertility clinics by explicitly excluding these common medical practices from criminal abortion statutes. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-15-213 and related provisions to define these exclusions. The bill failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025, and did not advance to the full legislature.
HB 27, titled the "Reproductive Freedom Act," establishes a new legal framework protecting reproductive healthcare access in Tennessee. It defines "reproductive health care" to include abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and related services, and affirms individuals' fundamental rights to make decisions about their reproductive health without state interference. The bill requires health insurance plans to cover reproductive health care (Section 15) and repeals multiple existing state laws that restricted abortion access or imposed criminal penalties for reproductive care (Sections 2-22). This legislation directly affects all Tennesseans seeking reproductive healthcare by removing legal barriers and mandating coverage under state-regulated insurance plans.
HB 598 would establish a legal process for capable adults in Tennessee with a terminal illness to request medication to end their life under strict conditions. To qualify, an adult must be a resident of Tennessee, diagnosed with an incurable disease expected to cause death within six months, and confirmed capable by both an attending physician and a consulting physician. The process requires a written request witnessed by two non-relatives (not beneficiaries or healthcare staff), counseling to ensure the decision is voluntary and informed, and full disclosure of the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, risks, and alternatives like hospice care. The bill amends Tennessee laws across multiple titles to create these requirements and procedures for end-of-life medication requests.
HB 1156 would remove a Tennessee law requiring parents or legal guardians to ensure their children receive vaccines recommended by the CDC or AAP. This change directly affects parents and guardians in Tennessee who currently have this legal obligation under TCA Title 37. The bill specifically deletes Section 37-10-401(a) of the Tennessee Code but clarifies it won't impact existing school, daycare, or childcare immunization requirements. The legislation is currently pending in the Health Committee for further review.
